2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S51.801AUnspecified open wound of right forearm, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S50-S59›S51

ICD-10-CM S51.801A
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S51.801A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified open wound of right forearm, initial encounter. The 7th character A marks it as an initial encounter code, used while the patient is receiving active treatment. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 604 through 605, 963 through 965. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Open wounds to limbs, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S51.801A
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unspecified open wound of right forearm, initial encounter
Short Description
Unspecified open wound of right forearm, initial encounter
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
S51.801
Unspecified open wound of right forearm

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS50-S59Injuries to the elbow and forearm
CategoryS51Open wound of elbow and forearm
This CodeS51.801AUnspecified open wound of right forearm, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Fracture of coronoid process of ulna
  • Fracture of distal end of right radius
  • Fracture of distal end of right ulna
  • Fracture of head of right radius
  • Fracture of proximal end of right radius
  • Fracture of proximal end of right ulna
  • Fracture of radial head
  • Fracture of radial neck
  • Fracture of right olecranon
  • Fracture of shaft of right radius
  • Fracture of shaft of right ulna
  • Metaphyseal fracture of bone of upper limb
  • Open fracture of coronoid process of right ulna
  • Open fracture of coronoid process of ulna
  • Open fracture of distal end of right radius
  • Open fracture of distal end of right ulna
  • Open fracture of distal end of ulna
  • Open fracture of head of radius
  • Open fracture of head of right radius
  • Open fracture of metaphysis of distal radius
  • Open fracture of metaphysis of distal right radius
  • Open fracture of neck of radius
  • Open fracture of neck of right radius
  • Open fracture of olecranon of right ulna
  • Open fracture of olecranon process of ulna
  • Open fracture of proximal end of right radius
  • Open fracture of proximal end of right ulna
  • Open fracture of right elbow
  • Open fracture of right forearm
  • Open fracture of right radius
  • Open fracture of right ulna
  • Open fracture of shaft of bone of forearm
  • Open fracture of shaft of radius
  • Open fracture of shaft of right radius
  • Open fracture of shaft of right ulna
  • Open fracture of shaft of ulna
  • Open wound of right forearm

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of elbow and forearm (S51). Use the following options for the applicable episode of care:

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR INJ012
Open wounds to limbs, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Wounds and Injuries

An injury is damage to your body. It is a general term that refers to harm caused by accidents, falls, hits, weapons, and more. In the U.S., millions of people injure themselves every year. These injuries range from minor to life-threatening.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert S51.801A to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
881.00 Open wound of forearm
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About S51.801AOverview

Is S51.801A (Unspecified open wound of right forearm) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified open wound of right forearm, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character A in S51.801A mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for unspecified open wound of right forearm, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S51.801A group to?

When unspecified open wound of right forearm, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 604, 605, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.9160 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S51.801A?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unspecified open wound of right forearm, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 881.00 (open wound of forearm). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.